Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum
Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum is a historical park and arboretum located in Fremont, California. Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum is a 4+ acre park that includes a historic home, gardens, as well as an arboretum. Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum is available for self-guided tours, group tours, as well as special events and private event rentals.
Hostory of Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum
Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum has a long and unique history. The home and gardens date all the way back to the 1850s, when the property was purchased by Dr. Joseph Clark, who invited his sister Lucy Shinn, her husband James Shinn and their children to live in the existing small cottage on the property. Over time, the Shinn family work towards saving for a new home. The historic home that now stands there today was built throughout the 1860s and 1870s, when the Shinn family had a main house and expansive garden constructed.
Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum
1251 Peralta Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
H289+3W Fremont, California
https://www.fremont.gov/325/Historical-Parks-Facilities
(510) 790-5541
The Shinn family eventually established a ranch and garden on the property; they used the ranch and farm to grow food both for themselves and to sell, and used the garden as a nursery for an established nursery business which grew a variety of fruit trees, exotic species and ornamental plants. The "Shinn nurseries," as they became known locally, were a great source of income for the family.
The Shinn family remained in the home until the 1950s, when they sold the building and property to the City of Fremont so that it could be preserved for future generations.
Today, the home is preserved with an eclectic mixture of objects original to the Shinn family home; dating from the original home’s construction in the 1860s all the way through the 1950s.
The home and gardens were opened as a historic attraction and park in 1968, and they remain open to the public today.
Modern visitors can enjoy visiting the home through self-guided or guided towards; they can also enjoy a number of different events and activities around the park, including visiting the gardens or attending special picnics and events such as the park’s annual Victorian Ice Cream Social which encourages guests to dress in period costume and enjoy historical treats and eats.
Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum Info
The Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum is open from Monday through Sunday, 8 AM through 30 minutes past sunset. Group tours are provided by the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation twice a month, on the first Wednesday and third Sunday of every month; group tours are also available by reservation for both private groups and school groups.